Starting at the beginning of this year’s indoor season, Williams set a personal record almost every other meet. It’s the little changes he made this season compared to his previous three seasons that made a big difference.
During the 2013 MEAC Indoor Track and Field Championship held in Landover, MD, Darryl Williams, a redshirt senior received runner up in the 60 meter dash with a time of 6.82 seconds.
Williams was .07 seconds away from winning the gold in the 60 meter finals. “It’s funny how so close can seem so far,” he said. The time for first place was 6.75 seconds which Williams previously ran at the JDL Fast Track in Winston Salem before his hamstring injury following the Virginia Tech meet weeks before the MEAC Championships.
Duane Ross, N.C. A&T’s director of track and field program spoke very highly of Williams.
“I believe he is capable of being a national champion [and] also a leader whether it’s with track & field or the corporate world after he graduates,” said Ross.
Starting at the beginning of this year’s indoor season, Williams set a personal record almost every other meet. It’s the little changes he made this season compared to his previous three seasons that made a big difference.
Williams admitted that before his eating habits could have been better, and some of his activities such as partying, not drinking enough water and the lack of stretching were not beneficial to what he was trying to accomplish with his track career. Therefore, he believes that without change there is no progress. He has goals and aspirations going into the end of his last indoor season as an Aggie and the start of his outdoor season.
His main goal is to set personal records to motivate him to go pro and run next year.
He also wants to get the school record that was set by Calesio Newman, former Olympic trials competitor, in the 60 meter that was 6.68 seconds.
Williams stresses how much his family motivates him, especially his mother who periodically sends him scriptures to keep him focused and grounded. “In the race, everybody must run so why not run to obtain the prize,” he said.
However, the road after MEAC to nationals is just the beginning. Darryl Williams will compete in the 60 meter dash for nationals on March 8, in Fayetteville, Ark.
“I’m not trying to be average, I’m trying to be the best,” said Darryl Williams. According to Duane Ross, former Olympian in the 2004 Athens, “Williams understands that glory comes at a cost, that cost being practicing when you don’t have to and putting in the extra work.
I believe Darryl has all the tools necessary to become an Olympian.” As an upperclassman, Williams strives to set the example of hard work, dedication and excellence for his teammates.
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- Felexia Braswell, Register Reporter